Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, has died after collapsing in his office on Thursday afternoon. He was 60.
According to Government House sources, Ewhrudjakpo suddenly slumped at about 1:30 p.m. while attending to official duties. He was immediately rushed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Yenagoa, where doctors battled to resuscitate him. He was, however, confirmed dead shortly after arrival.
Born on September 5, 1965, Ewhrudjakpo hailed from Ofoni Federated Communities in Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. He was born into the aristocratic family of the late Chief and Mrs. Awhowho Ewhrudjakpo.
A seasoned public administrator and politician, Ewhrudjakpo had held several key positions in Bayelsa State and at the federal level. He served as Commissioner for Youth and Sports (2005–2006), a Council Board Member of the University of Maiduguri (2008–2012), and Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Disciplinary Council in Bayelsa State in 2012.
He later became Deputy Chief of Staff, Government House (2012), and subsequently Principal Executive Secretary (2013–2014). In 2015, he was elected into the Federal House of Representatives to represent Kolokuma/Opokuma and Yenagoa Federal Constituency.
Ewhrudjakpo also served as Senator representing Bayelsa West before emerging as the running mate to Senator Douye Diri in the Bayelsa State governorship election. He had been Deputy Governor since 2020.
The late deputy governor is survived by his wife, Beatrice Ewhrudjakpo.
His sudden death has thrown Bayelsa State into mourning, with tributes already pouring in from political leaders, colleagues, and citizens across the state.
The Bayelsa State Government is expected to issue an official statement on the incident.
